Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Joe Walsh

Question:

463 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will establish a task force to examine the implications of raising the means test for non-contributory pensioners from £2,987.50 to £10,000 in view of the fact that this means test has not been examined since 1979. [1155/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

I refer the Deputy to my previous replies to him on this matter and, in particular, to Question No. 185 on Tuesday, 10 December 1996.

As I have already indicated in my earlier replies, I intend to improve the means tests by progressively standardising the provisions for the assessment of capital across the various means tested payments including non-contributory old age pension. Accordingly, I see no useful purpose in setting up a task force on this matter.